Monday, December 1, 2025

Your Powerhouse & Its Backup Team: Why the Core and Neck Work Together

 


Your Powerhouse & Its Backup Team: Why the Core and Neck Work Together

As the weather cools and we move into the deep stillness of winter, it’s the perfect time to reconnect with the part of your body that keeps you grounded: your powerhouse. In physical therapy, the term “powerhouse” refers to your deep core — the diaphragm, deep abdominals, pelvic floor, and small stabilizing muscles along your spine. Think of it as your internal fireplace. When it’s engaged and working well, it brings warmth, steadiness, and support to everything you do, from walking on icy sidewalks to simply sitting comfortably through holiday gatherings.

Your primary powerhouse does far more than give you strength. It stabilizes your entire trunk, supports efficient breathing, and helps distribute forces through your body in a balanced way. This matters even more during winter, when activities like decorating, shoveling, traveling, or spending long hours sitting can challenge your posture and strain your body. When your core is doing its job, everything else — your back, hips, shoulders, and even your neck — gets to relax and function more naturally.

But here’s something most people don’t realize: your neck acts as a secondary powerhouse. When the deep core isn’t fully supporting you, or when stress and cold weather cause you to hunch or hold tension, the neck often steps in to “help.” This is when those upper cervical muscles begin overworking. The result? Tight shoulders, headaches, neck pain, and that feeling of constantly “holding yourself up” through sheer effort. Your neck is strong and capable — but it’s not meant to be your body’s primary stabilizer. 

I see so many clients with muscle imbalances in their neck from trying to help their body compensate for weakness elsewhere. The "Basic 4" Exercises I teach help to engage the key core muscles in the hips, pelvis and spine, and our neck treatments and individualized Home Exercises help to "put my client's heads back on straight." These exercises go a long way in helping to stabilize the body from head to toe. 

The core and neck are deeply interconnected through posture, breath, and the fascial web that runs throughout your body. When your core activates properly, your neck doesn’t have to grip for stability. When your breathing expands your ribs instead of lifting your shoulders, the neck softens and finds its natural alignment. It’s a team effort: when the powerhouse burns steady and warm, the secondary powerhouse can finally take a well-deserved break.

This winter, try treating your body to more support from the inside out. Simple practices like diaphragmatic breathing, gentle neck mobility, and mindful posture go a long way. And if you’re following along with our December theme, incorporate this month’s three movement practices — the Holiday Hug Core Activation, Snow Angel Dead Bug, and Winter Wood-Chop — to build strength where it matters most. Consider it your seasonal gift to your future self: a body that moves, balances, and breathes with more ease all winter long.

Give Your Body the Gift of Support This Season
If you’ve been feeling neck tension, winter stiffness, or want help reconnecting with your core, I’d love to support you.  Schedule a follow-up session to assess your powerhouse, calm the secondary powerhouse in your neck, and build a plan tailored to your winter movement needs.

👉 Email me at 1212bodyworks@gmail.com to book your appointment or ask any questions. Or, you can schedule directly online now from my website or from this link: Schedule at 1212 Bodyworks

Let’s help your body move with ease, warmth, and confidence this season.

Friday, October 31, 2025

How Gratitude Supports Physical Recovery



Most people think of physical therapy as a journey of muscles, joints, tendons, and exercises. And it is. But anyone who has navigated recovery from pain or injury also knows this: healing isn’t just physical. It’s emotional. It’s mental. It’s personal. This Gratitude Month, we’re exploring a powerful, science-backed tool that can support your recovery just as much as strengthening or mobility work: gratitude. 

What Gratitude Really Does for the Brain and Body 
I recently listened to a Huberman Lab podcast episode: "The science of a Gratitude Practice and how to cultivate one" that was shared with me and was surprised to learn some of these concepts, so I wanted to share them with you. It's a very "sciency" episode, so I'm breaking it down here. Gratitude isn’t just positive thinking. Neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Huberman explains that gratitude activates specific neural pathways in the brain linked to motivation, connection, and resilience. Research shows that consistent gratitude practice can: 
  •  Lower stress and reduce inflammation markers in the body 
  •  Shift your mindset from frustration to progress 
  •  Increase motivation and follow-through on recovery exercises 
  •  Improve emotional resilience during tough phases of healing 
  •  Strengthen feelings of connection and hope 

Why Gratitude Matters in Physical Therapy
Recovering from an injury isn’t always linear. There are ups and downs. Some days feel easy and empowering; others feel slow or discouraging. This is where gratitude becomes a recovery tool—not just a mindset trick. Gratitude helps by: 
  •  Reducing the brain’s "defensive" stress response that leads to tension and worry 
  •  Reinforcing effort and progress by reminding your brain why recovery matters 
  •  Improving consistency, which is the #1 predictor of physical therapy outcomes 

 The Most Effective Gratitude Practice (According to Neuroscience) 
 Most of us have heard of gratitude lists like "I’m grateful for my family" or "I’m grateful for my health.” While that’s helpful, Huberman points out that the most powerful form of gratitude involves a story. Research shows gratitude works best when you: Recall a real moment when someone helped you – especially a moment that made a difference. Feel what that help meant to you – let the emotion sink in for 1–3 minutes. Reflect on the impact – how it changed you or supported your journey. This could be a moment from your recovery, or any time in your life—big or small. 

A Simple 3-Minute Gratitude Exercise for Recovery 
Try this after your PT session or home exercises:  
Step 1: Choose your gratitude story. Example: "When I felt stuck and frustrated, my therapist adjusted my exercises and encouraged me. That support helped me believe I could move forward." 
Step 2: Write 2–3 short bullet points 
  •  What was happening before the help 
  •  The help you received 
  •  How it made you feel 
 Step 3: Read and reflect for 1–3 minutes Breathe. Let yourself feel the gratitude. Notice how your body responds. Repeat 3 times per week. 

Why This Works 
This type of practice activates a part of your brain that drives "approach behavior" — motivation, effort, and willingness to engage. That means gratitude doesn’t just make you feel good. It makes you more likely to stay consistent with your recovery. 
 
Try the Gratitude + Recovery Challenge for the next 30 days: Do your gratitude reflection 3x per week.  Pair it with your PT sessions or home exercises.  Notice how your mindset and motivation change over time.  

Final Thoughts 
Recovery is more than repetition — it’s resilience. Gratitude doesn’t ignore challenges; it gives you the emotional fuel to overcome them. Whether you're rebuilding strength, restoring mobility, or getting back to the activities you love, gratitude is a powerful partner in the process. 

Looking for support in your recovery journey? I'm here for you. Simply call or text (414-405-3956) or email me (1212bodyworks@gmail.com) to schedule. 

Stay tuned this month for more recovery mindset tools designed to support your body and your brain. 

Monday, October 20, 2025

Fall Prevention Strategies you don't want to miss!


The following statistics regarding falls are staggering, literally. (Shared from my recent continuing education course "Helping Patients Stay on their Feet")

    • In 2019, over 8 million older American had a fall-related injury 

    • Resulting in more than 34,000 deaths (93 older adults per day) 

    • More than 1 in 3-4 older adults (28%) fall each year 

    • Approximately 36 millions falls annually 

    • Falls in older adults cost healthcare system approximately $50 billion dollars in 2015 

Holy cow!! That is a LOT of money! Not to mention waaaay too many people affected by falls!  

The best Fall Prevention Strategy of them all is to work on your balance reactions and challenge yourself to improve your strength and stability regularly.  As you likely know by now, helping clients improve their balance has been a long-time passion of mine. Teaching the weekly Balance & Stability group fitness class at the Wisconsin Athletic Club has been an absolute joy, and it's already been over a year since I started teaching. During this time, I've had multiple class attendees, who are regulars, come up to me and share stories of how their commitment to our class and the strategies we practice regularly have positively impacted their life. 

"I was told that my blood pressure & cholesterol were in a range that required medication. I told the doctor to give me some time to make some lifestyle changes and then we would recheck. After 8 months of taking regular walks, taking this Balance Class, and doing a weekly yoga class, my numbers are now all in the healthy range!!"  -Mary (70 y.o.)

"I'm able to keep up with my grandkids and get up and down from the floor much better since we started this class!" -Kathy (68 y.o)

"I recently had my gall bladder removed. I was able to use my feet to pick things up off of the floor while I was recovering and couldn't bend forward. I wouldn't have been able to do that if it weren't for practicing doing that in our Balance Class!" -Karrie (53 y.o.)

"We went on vacation with another couple from class, and had to walk across a log to get to the other side of a creek, and we said, 'Emily would be proud of us that we all did it!'" -John (75 y.o.)

I just love hearing their success stories! I just wish the classroom was bigger and even more people could come and join us and enhance their balance too. 

I decided it would be fun to share some of my favorite balance exercises here with you. This is a document I created to share with the Humble Warrior Wellness and Yoga organization this summer at their annual retreat. These exercises can be incorporated weekly, even while doing other activities at home to "stack" your habits and be sure to get them in. 


Balance Exercises


Let me know how these go for you and which ones you like best. If you are interested in giving my Balance Class a try, reach out for a free pass to the WAC. I'd love to have you join me! 

My prayer for you is to stay active, vibrant, and functionally independent as long as you possibly can and stay away from becoming part of the above statistics! You can do this!! : )




Saturday, July 19, 2025

Celebrate Independence and Freedom to MOVE and Balance



As Americans, we are truly blessed to have the independence and freedom to be, do, and say what we want. Being free to move around to enjoy all that this country and our world has to offer is a privilege. Being free to MOVE is a privilege in itself. We often take that privilege for granted until something happens to our body that takes away our ability to move around comfortably. Losing our independence and having to ask for help can be a major challenge. 

Imagine the frustration of not being able to bend down and put on your pants, socks, or shoes, or having to avoid stairs due to knee pain. Losing the freedom to reach up into the cabinets for ingredients, dishes, or pots/pans, or reach down into the dishwasher or lower drawers makes it challenging to perform kitchen tasks and prepare meals. Sitting and driving with chronic back, hip, or knee soreness can impede upon comfort during work or rest times, or when taking longer road trips.  A nagging, or sometimes sharp, painful sensation on the bottom of your foot makes standing or walking around uncomfortable. Sometimes these challenges can pop up seemingly overnight and really change the way you move about your day. 

As a Physical Therapist for over 25 years, it has been my privilege to help people regain their independence and restore their freedom of movement when pain and limitations have set in. Even though accidents happen, there are many things we can do to prevent injuries and stay OUT of pain. My book "MAGIC in Motion: Foundations for Functional Fitness" highlights 8 foundations for living a well-balanced life, including guidance on how to "Treat Yourself Well,” maintain your ability to independently perform your daily functional activities, and extend your “health span" throughout your lifespan. 

Have you ever stood sideways next to a mirror and noticed that the reflection of one side doesn't look exactly like you? Humans are relatively symmetrical, from side to side, but not exactly. We have one dominant, more developed side, and because of the asymmetrical sizes and placement of our internal organs, the deep hip flexor muscles (Psoas Major) and connective tissues (fascia) are slightly different from side to side. These asymmetries cause our pelvis to shift slightly forward on the left side, and we bear more weight onto our right side. Add in repetitive movements, stresses, traumas and resulting scar tissue, and bodies are certainly not perfectly balanced. Despite these subtle differences and imbalances, your body works best when you can achieve as symmetrical alignment and range of motion as possible from side to side. 

Having a regular self-care practice to assess your unique alignment, full body movements, and any asymmetries is valuable so you can maintain your pain free functions, or seek help to address any concerns as they arise. The MELT Method is a gentle, self-care system using soft rubber balls to treat your hands and feet, and rubberized foam rollers for larger body parts. These treatments help you reconnect with your internal body sense and awareness, calm and rebalance your nervous system, release stuck stress and tension in your body, and rehydrate your connective tissues. Having these gentle tools at home is helpful to independently address your unique imbalances. 

Balance and stability exercises are in important addition to your self-care and fitness routine. These can include moving through full, pain-free range of motion for each joint (head, neck, shoulders, elbows, wrist and hand, torso, pelvis, hips, knees, ankles and feet) to assess the mobility available, and to notice any difficulties moving into certain positions. Performing exercises for the foot, hip, and core will have a positive impact on balance reactions. Standing on one leg at a time is an important foundation for functional freedom, including walking, dressing, and certain hygiene activities. The whole body has to work together to make that happen efficiently.  Moving your head into various positions, as well as closing one or both of your eyes, will challenge your vestibular system involved with your balance. Building strength and stability through your spinal and scapular (shoulder blade) areas will help you achieve a more balanced posture and be able to stay upright against gravity to perform your daily functional activities. 

Contact me today for your copy of Basic Balance Challenges, whole body exercises to try at home. These activities will enhance your overall stability and reaction time, and maintain your functional freedom and independence. www.1212bodyworks.com Call/text 414-405-3956, Email 1212bodyworks@gmail.com


This blog was written for the Humble Warrior Wellness and Yoga organization's newsletter. This 501C-3 non-profit organization supports and benefits Women Veterans and First Responders. These servicewomen have done so much to help maintain our many freedoms, so the women of Humble Warrior are giving back with wellness offerings, workshops, and retreats. I had the pleasure of teaching a Balance & Stability class, working alongside and serving these fantastic women at the Lake Life Retreat (June 2025) in Valders, WI. To support them yourself or make a donation, click on the link above. Thank You! 


Sunday, June 22, 2025

Love the Sun, Protect Your Skin

 


Love the Sun, Protect Your Skin

Sunscreen and Whole Body Health Considerations


Summer is fast approaching and the sunshine will be consistently emitting its rays upon us very soon! According to the Skin Cancer Foundation website, “1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70.” Since skin is the human body’s largest organ, we need to protect it and keep it healthy to allow us to keep moving comfortably and enjoying our everyday activities and daily functions. 


The skin interfaces with the connective tissue, or fascial system, which surrounds every cell, organ, muscle, and joint and holds us all together. As described in my book “MAGIC in Motion,” what we put on the outside of our body gets absorbed by the skin and becomes part of our internal environment. We need to be mindful of when and what we are putting on our skin so that we are protected from the elements when needed, while not adding unnecessary toxins to our body. The "C" in the MAGIC acronym refers to our muscles' ability to "Circulate" Lymphatic fluids. We want to ensure that our body works and moves efficiently from head to toe to pump those waste fluids out of our body.


In an article by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), the constituents of a good sunscreen are highlighted. “A good sunscreen should provide equal broad-spectrum protection, against both ultraviolet, or UV, A and B rays. But the SPF value primarily reflects how well a product will protect from UVB rays, the main cause of sunburn and some skin cancers, such as squamous cell carcinoma. Sun protection products originally aimed to reduce sunburn. Today, it’s known that some UV rays, such as UVA, don’t cause sunburn but can lead to health harms. UVA rays, which penetrate the skin more deeply than UVB rays, are associated with skin aging and cancer, such as melanoma.”


To learn more about skin care and sunscreen, I consulted my favorite skin care professional, Nova Zynski, Aesthetician and Owner of “Skin Care by Nova Z” in Brookfield. One of the reasons I love to work with Nova is that part of her treatment process includes a wonderful head, face, neck, upper chest and shoulder lymphatic massage. She is able to really get stagnant fluids moving to de-puff and sculpt your face. Her techniques feel amazing and your skin truly glows! Nova has done a lot of research and is a master of her craft. I asked Nova to share her expertise to help us make sense of how we can best support our body’s health and safety this summer. Here is part of our conversation. 


E: Should we be using sunscreen every day? 


Nova: Not necessarily on a daily basis. If you're just in and out doing a few things, you need to be getting the sunshine on your skin.  Sunglasses are an issue too because people wear sunglasses too much, and to really get your vitamin D, sunlight needs to come through the eyes so the combo is important. Now, if you’re a truck driver and you have the sun on you all day every day that's different. Also, if you're sitting at your desk by a window in front of a computer all day every day, yes you should have sunscreen on, but you also want one that's going to protect you from the blue light. 


E: As an Aesthetician, what are the signs of sun damage that you see the most frequently with your clients? 


Nova: I see dark spots (hyperpigmentation) and light or white spots (hypopigmentation). Excess sun exposure accelerates the natural, gradual process of breaking down of the elastin bands in the skin. Skin becomes more lax faster, and overtime the skin becomes super thin. Also, some people’s skin will get really tough overtime because it's trying to compensate for what's been done to it. Their skin will have a lot more lines, and is sometimes really wrinkly looking, but really tough at the same time. It's not soft, supple skin anymore. 


E: What are some of the things we should be looking for in a good sunscreen?


Nova: Eminence, the Organic Skin Care line that I use with my clients, has a Radiance Protection SPF, which is also a moisturizer, and has botanicals that are good for the skin. This contains niacin-amide which has B complexes that help reduce pore size, help retain moisture levels, and build the moisture barrier. Zinc Oxide is another good ingredient to look for in sunscreen. There are many products available now that are not as thick and chalky as they used to be, and won’t leave the white film on your skin. 


E: Do you have any specific cautions regarding sunscreen? 


Nova: You want to use a “clean” product that doesn’t contain toxic ingredients. We want to steer clear of hormone disrupting chemicals. We also need to be careful of “nano-technologies” where the molecular sizes of certain ingredients are extremely small, and they can pass through the blood brain barrier. Sometimes certain chemicals in sunscreens can actually cause dark spots and do the opposite of protecting your skin. Also, even if a product is labeled “organic,” it could still have a few ingredients that you really don't want in there. It’s a misconception people have that if it says organic, that everything in there is good, but it doesn't necessarily mean that it is.  


I did a little extra research on some of the specific toxic chemicals to avoid in sunscreens. According to an article by Thais Alibadi, MD, “here are 6 questionable common chemical sunscreen ingredients:

  • Oxybenzone, known as benzophenone-3, a hormone disruptor

  • Avobenzone, also a benzophenone

  • Homosalate, another hormone disruptor

  • Octinoxate, known as octyl methoxycinnamate, a hormone and endocrine disruptor

  • Octocrylene

  • Octisalate, which stabilizes avobenzone”

Be sure to read your labels and avoid any of the above ingredients and lean toward using the products that are hydrating and safe for your skin, while protecting your body from excessive sun exposure. Enjoy your summer, but protect your skin and body from harmful rays and unnecessary chemicals. 


To learn more about Nova Zynski and her Skin Care Services, check out her website: 

Skin Care by Nova Z


To purchase your copy of “MAGIC in Motion: Foundations for Functional Fitness,” or purchase a copy for a friend or family member, learn more ways to keep your body healthy, and “treat yourself well” from the outside in and inside out, click HERE


To uncover your unique, bio-mechanical blockages that zap your energy and keep you from moving how you used to, or to enhance your whole body's communication and immune boosting circulation, schedule a session today: click HERE, call/text 414-405-3956, or email 1212bodyworks@gmail.com.

Friday, March 7, 2025

Osteoporosis and Falls: Avoiding the Fracture

THREE THINGS TO DO TO AVOID A SERIOUS FALL AND THE CRITICAL COMPLICATIONS THAT COME WITH IT

I got a message from a long-time client saying she slipped and fell outside and fractured her wrist. She's lucky she didn't need surgery this time, as she had similar falls twice before that resulted in fractures and DID require surgery, due to osteoporosis. Because she lives independently, she is now having to adjust her daily routine as things take a little longer, even with her non-dominant arm being affected. Lifting, carrying, cooking, and dressing are all more difficult.  

Another client told me she was sitting on a folding chair without arms while doing some crafting projects later one evening. "I fell asleep and fell right out of my chair!" Thank goodness she did not injure herself. She also has osteoporosis and lives alone. Although this type of fall incident is very rare, a fracture would have really impacted her life. 

I'm on the other side of 50 now, and I don’t want to be one of the one in four adults (14 MILLION OF US SENIORS), falling every year. About 37% of those who fall reported an injury that required medical treatment or restricted their activity for at least one day.  Surgery comes with it's own long list of unwanted complications (including death!!). If you’re like me, you want to do everything you can to NOT join this club and maintain your independence for as long as possible.

Here are some things I do as I am reaching the later years of my life:
1) I use Yak Tracks on my shoes in the winter when I'm walking on slippery surfaces. They fasten onto any shoe or boot and really help to grip the ground with their metal spikes. They saved me from falling many times when out walking with our former doggy in the winter. 
2) I walk every day for at least 20 minutes. This can reduce stress, boost your immunity, maintain strength, and build bone with the weight bearing activity.
3) I perform my "Treat Yourself Well" exercise regularly to prevent the rounded, forward flexed posture of a little old lady, and practice simple balance & stability challenges several times weekly. This helps to prevent the spinal compression fractures that often occur with osteoporosis. 

This last thing is REALLY IMPORTANT. Whether you have Osteoporosis, Osteopenia, or just want to prevent those issues, you can work with me to learn where your body is weak and how that is affecting your balance and your ability to avoid or survive a fall. I’ve helped some people with weak buttock muscles. With others, I’ve worked to correct foot issues. Other clients need assistance with getting their deep core muscles to activate and get stronger to support their ability to move around in bed, get up from a chair, and walk with more stability. 

Here’s what some of my current clients say:
"I was able to stand up so much taller after my session with Emily!" 
"My husband noticed I'm able to walk further before I need to sit down and rest." 
"My friend asked me what I've been doing to walk so well, as she has trouble keeping up with me now!"

Join my “NO FRACTURE CLUB” today. 
I have a few slots open in March for a 2025 Balance Assessment (just $79 for people on my list, $120 for everyone else). In this 30 minute session you’ll do a series of Functional Balance Tests to assess your risk of a fall. You’ll get 3 customized exercises to keep you stable and prevent fractures if you do fall. And, as a bonus, you’ll get a free pass to my Balance & Stability Class at the Brookfield WAC. And, I’ll put you on the list to get a free copy of my new book “The MAGIC of a Well Balanced Life” (Coming out on May 1).  Don’t wait. We might have a few more weeks of slippery ice and snow covered driveways, steps and sidewalks. You need to protect yourself. Email (1212bodyworks@gmail.com) or call (414-405-3956) today!

Dedicated to your stability, 
-Emily-


Wednesday, June 12, 2024

I'm Grounded!! (No, I'm not in trouble...)


When I was a kid, being "Grounded" meant something entirely different than what I've learned it to mean now. Being connected to the Earth's healing frequency is "grounding" to the body. The Schumann Resonance, or 7.83 Hz, is the electromagnetic frequency of the Earth that serves as a "ground" force. By being connected to this frequency, our body's voltage will decrease, bringing us back into a more balanced, regulated state where rest, relaxation, and healing is possible. The higher our body's voltage, the more likely we are to be sick or sore, so lowering our voltage is an important wellness consideration. 

Proven Benefits of Grounding:

  • Reduced Inflammation
  • More restful sleep
  • Reductions in Chronic pain
  • Improved blood flow
  • Reduced stress/anxiety
  • Reduced EMF interference
  • Normalized Cortisol Rhythms
  • Increased energy 
  • Improved mood
  • Decreased Muscle Tension
  • Reduction in PMS symptoms
  • Reduced Headaches
  • Speeds up Wound Healing
  • Slows free radical damage associated with skin aging
  • Reduced Muscle soreness
  • Alleviation of arthritic symptoms
  • Stabilized blood pressure
  • Less wakefulness during sleep
  • Reduced time to fall asleep
  • Enhanced digestion and metabolic function
  • Reduction of facial puffiness
  • Enhanced nutrient absorption
  • Balanced Hormonal Rhythms
  • Improved Cardiovascular health
  • Improved HRV (Heart Rate Variability)
  • Enhanced Detoxification processes
  • Balances Bone Calcium metabolism

The best way to connect with this beautiful, healing frequency is to go outside barefoot and walk or sit on the grass. Swimming in a lake, river, or ocean is another way. Walking along a sandy beach is yet another option. Living in Wisconsin and working indoors, most of us don't have the luxury to do these activities often, so luckily there are some products available to help us receive this healing frequency other ways. 

We purchased fitted bed sheets from Grounding Official (Enter coupon code 1212BW to receive a 15% discount) for our bed, and I have never slept better! My sleep quality had been spotty over the years, especially as I venture into peri-menopause, and since sleeping on these, it has become much more consistently solid. Thank goodness!! With the purchase of our King size fitted bed sheets, they offered a special deal on the non-fitted sheet, so I went ahead and purchased it for our son's bed. That one is not convenient since it doesn't have fitted corners, but is just a strip that goes across the bed. It doesn't stay in place well, so I wouldn't recommend those products, personally. Now, I just need to buy some pillow cases and we'll be all set! 

I bought some grounding mats also, to go underneath our desks. These came from a different company called Grounding Well. (Enter coupon code GW20 to receive a 20% discount). When we first opened the packaging, there was a very strong odor, but we out-gassed them in the garage for a few days and they're fine now. I now have some in my office, one underneath my desk, and one for you to enjoy during your treatment sessions. I'm excited to see how you like it!  

With both the sheets and the mats, there is a wire that snaps onto the product, then is inserted into the ground part of the outlet (the small hole at the bottom of the 3 openings). It is really simple. The sheets came with a tester for the outlet to make sure that is indeed grounded. 

For book lovers, the "Earthing" book by Clint Ober, one of the leading researchers involved in the Grounding movement, is a wonderful resource where I really took a deep dive into learning more about Grounding before investing in some of the products above. The Earthing website offers many more other products. You can also watch a documentary movie about Grounding from this website, or on YouTube

So far, I can honestly say that by simply sleeping on the grounding sheets, my sleep quality has improved greatly! I can fall asleep much faster, sleep more soundly, I awaken much less frequently, and am able to resume sleeping if I do wake up in the night. I love having the mat under my desk in my office so I can enjoy the benefits while I'm sitting, which I don't do very often. Since the weather allows it these days, my favorite way to ground is still to go outside and lay down, stand, or walk on the grass. 

Looking forward to spreading the word about this natural healing treatment that is easy to implement, especially now in the late spring, early summer, and hearing about how you and others benefit from this on your wellness journey. Now, I'm heading outside to stand in the yard.